賢愚經

Chapter Thirty-One: Mahakalpin Ninh

Thus have I heard: At one time the Buddha was dwelling in the country of Shravasti, in Anathapindika’s Garden in Prince Jeta’s Grove.

To the south of Shravasti there was a country called the Golden Land. Its king was named Kalpin Ninh, and his son was named Mahakalpin Ninh. The prince was intelligent, perceptive, and possessed great physical strength. After the king passed away, Crown Prince Mahakalpin Ninh succeeded to the throne. He ruled over thirty-six thousand kingdoms and commanded an immense army, invincible throughout the world. His heroic fame resounded in all four directions. Yet the countries of the Central Land did not submit to him.

At that time, a merchant came to the Golden Land to trade and presented the king with four bolts of exceptionally fine white cloth. After accepting them, the king asked:

“Where did you purchase these goods?”

“Your Majesty, I purchased them in the Central Land!”

“What are the countries of the Central Land called?”

“Your Majesty, they are called Rajagriha, Shravasti, and there are also many other countries.”

“Why have the kings of the Central Land not brought this cloth as tribute to me?”

“Your Majesty, their forces are no weaker than ours, and so they do not offer tribute!”

The king of the Golden Land privately thought:

“My power is sufficient to unite the entire world under one rule. Since they refuse to submit to me, I shall dispatch a vast and mighty army to attack them!”

Having thought this, he asked the merchant:

“Among the countries of the Central Land, which is the largest and most powerful?”

“Your Majesty, Shravasti is the largest and most powerful!”

The king said:

“Very well. I accept this information from you. You may leave!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I humbly take my leave.”

The king drafted an edict and sent a messenger to deliver it to King Prasenajit. It read:

“Prasenajit! You should know that the power of my country is known throughout Jambudvipa. You have severed relations with me. I have sent a man to deliver this edict and inform you: If you are lying down when you hear that my edict has arrived, you must immediately sit up! If you are sitting, you must immediately stand! If you are eating, you must immediately spit out your food! If you are bathing, you must immediately bind up your hair! If you are standing, you must run forward at once to receive it. Seven days from now, you shall know my power! If you fail to obey these words precisely, I shall bring a vast and mighty army to destroy your country!”

When King Prasenajit received the edict from the king of the Golden Land, he broke out in a fearful sweat. Bewildered and not knowing what to do, he immediately went to seek the Buddha’s counsel.

He addressed the Buddha, saying, “Homage to the World-Honored One! The king of the Golden Land relies upon his great military power and has declared that in seven days he will bring his army to attack. I have just received his letter. I beseech the World-Honored One to discern what should be done!”

The Buddha said, “Great King, do not be troubled! Go and tell the messenger: ‘I too have a Great King who rules a vast country. He follows the Buddha’s teaching and resides nearby. Take this edict and present it to my Great King!’”

The messenger accompanied King Prasenajit to Jeta Grove.

The World-Honored One transformed himself into a Wheel-Turning King and caused Maudgalyayana to appear as a great army commander. Every division of the army appeared exceedingly powerful. He transformed Jeta Grove into a great city made of the seven treasures. Around the city were seven encircling moats and ramparts, and seven rows of trees likewise made of the seven treasures. Lotuses of every color grew in the moats, radiating brilliant light. All the palaces within the city were made entirely of the seven treasures. The Wheel-Turning King sat within the jeweled palace, majestic and awe-inspiring.

When the messenger entered the city and beheld the Wheel-Turning King, imposing as Lord Shakra in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three, he was astonished and terrified. He privately thought:

“The king of the Golden Land has brought calamity upon himself without cause!”

Trembling with fear and not knowing how best to speak, he knelt, presented the letter, and said:

“Great King, I am an envoy of the king of the Golden Land. In obedience to his command, I present this letter to Your Majesty!”

The Wheel-Turning King threw the letter to the ground, stepped upon it, and said:

“I am a Great King who rules the four continents. Has your lord gone mad, that he dares to behave so insolently? Return at once and tell your lord: ‘Hasten here and present tribute to my country. If you are lying down when you hear my words arrive, you must immediately sit up! If you are standing, you must immediately come forward! You must arrive within seven days! If you disobey my command, do not regret it when you are put to death!’”

“Yes, Great King! Your servant shall obey your command!”

The messenger returned to his country and reported these words to the king of the Golden Land, describing that king’s power as well. After hearing this, the king of the Golden Land lost his confidence and reproached himself for having been excessively arrogant. He then drafted letters inviting the kings of the smaller countries to come with him to pay homage to the Wheel-Turning King—the Buddha.

Still harboring doubts, however, he sent an envoy to ask:

“Your Majesty, the lesser king of the Golden Land has sent your servant here to ask whether he should bring all thirty-six thousand kings of the various countries to pay homage, or only half of them. I beg Your Majesty to make this clear to your servant.”

The Great King replied, “Let half remain behind and have half come here!”

The messenger returned and reported:

“Your Majesty, the Great King commanded that half remain behind and half go there!”

The king of the Golden Land fully prepared his troops and provisions and brought eighteen thousand kings of smaller countries with him. Upon arriving, he beheld a majestic citadel made entirely of the seven treasures, a powerful army, and the Wheel-Turning King, imposing as Lord Shakra. His awesome bearing was formidable, and his realm was no different from a heavenly palace. Yet the king of the Golden Land thought:

“Although his noble appearance and realm surpass mine, his physical strength may not necessarily be greater than mine.”

The Wheel-Turning King knew his thought and ordered his soldiers to bring a bow for the king of the Golden Land to draw. The king of the Golden Land took the bow but was unable to draw it.

Seeing that he could not draw it, the Wheel-Turning King took the bow and drew it as though in play. He then handed it to the king of the Golden Land and told him to try shooting it, but he was unable to do so.

The Wheel-Turning King took the bow and loosed an arrow whose sound shook the three-thousandfold world system. He then shot once more, and the single arrow transformed into five arrows. From every arrowhead streamed innumerable rays of light. At the tip of every ray appeared a great lotus as large as a chariot wheel. Upon each lotus sat a Wheel-Turning King on a throne of the seven treasures, surrounded by a full retinue of jeweled maidens. The radiance of these lotus flowers outshone the sun and moon throughout the three-thousandfold world system, and this radiance benefited all sentient beings in the five destinies.

In the heavenly realms, those who beheld the radiance and heard the Dharma taught became pure and joyful in body and mind. Some attained the second fruit or the third fruit; others brought forth the aspiration for unsurpassed, complete, and perfect enlightenment and entered the stage of non-retrogression.

Sentient beings in the human realm who beheld the radiance and heard the sound of the Dharma being taught all rejoiced. Some subsequently attained the second fruit or the third fruit; others resolved to leave the household life, while still others brought forth the aspiration for unsurpassed bodhi and entered the stage of non-retrogression.

When the hungry ghosts beheld this radiance and heard the sound of the Dharma being taught, all their karma was exhausted. They became peaceful and joyful in body and mind, their burning afflictions disappeared, and reverence for the Buddha arose within them. They were all liberated from the realm of hungry ghosts and were reborn in the heavens or in the human realm.

When animals encountered this radiance, their greed, lust, anger, and delusion naturally disappeared, and reverence for the Buddha arose within them. They were all freed from the animal realm and were reborn by transformation in the human or heavenly realms.

When those in the hells encountered this radiance, those who were cold became warm, those who were hot became cool, and those in pain found peace. Joy arose in their bodies and minds, and they developed reverence and devotion toward the Buddha. They were immediately freed from the hells and reborn in the human or heavenly realms.

Dai Kiep Tan Ninh and the kings of the Land of Gold, seeing such miraculous transformations, rejoiced and were filled with reverence, admiration, and awe at the Wheel-Turning King’s boundless spiritual powers and virtue. At that very moment, the minds of all those kings were cleansed of every defilement, and they attained the Pure Dharma Eye.

Seeing that they had turned their minds toward taking refuge, the Buddha withdrew his spiritual power and resumed his original form, with his disciples gathered around him before and behind.

The King of the Land of Gold and the other kings beheld the Buddha, whose majestic virtue was extraordinary and whose spiritual powers shone resplendently. Giving rise to reverence, they all knelt upright, joined their palms, and addressed the Buddha:

– Reverence to the Blessed One! Although we are rulers of men, we remain deluded and subject to the yoke of samsaric birth and death. We wish to cast off the narrow understanding and fetters of sentient beings. We humbly beseech you, in your compassion, to permit us to leave the household life and train in the Way!

The Buddha praised them and proclaimed:

– Come, bhikkhus!

As soon as he had spoken, their hair and beards fell away, and kasaya robes appeared upon their bodies. Having heard the Buddha teach the Dharma, they exhausted all outflows and attained arhatship.

Seeing this, I, Ananda, came forward, knelt upright with palms joined, and addressed the Buddha:

– Reverence to the Blessed One! What practices did the King of the Land of Gold cultivate in the past that he has now become a ruler of men, encountered the Blessed One, and attained the fruit of arhatship? I humbly beseech you to explain this so that we and sentient beings in future ages may understand.

The Buddha said: - Ananda, all sentient beings enjoy favorable results in this life because of the wholesome merit they created in previous lives. In a past age, after the Buddha Kasyapa entered nirvana, there was an elder who spent his wealth to build a stupa, a monastery, and residential quarters. He made offerings to the Sangha of clothing, medicine, beds and seats, and various foods.

Many years after his death, the monastery and stupa fell into disrepair, and the food and other provisions were exhausted, so the monks had to depart for other regions. His son had left the household life and become a bhikkhu. Upon returning home and seeing this condition, he went forth to solicit support from the people.

He restored the monastery and stupa, provided beds and seats, and fully supplied food and other necessities as offerings to the Sangha. He then made this vow:

– Through this merit, may I in future lives possess wealth, honor, and longevity, encounter a Buddha, hear the Dharma, and attain the fruit of the Way!

Ananda, you should know that the elder’s son at that time was none other than the present King of the Land of Gold, named Dai Kiep Tan Ninh. The people who contributed wealth and made offerings are now these eighteen thousand kings of minor kingdoms.

After hearing the Buddha’s words, everyone rejoiced. They aroused the aspiration to seek the Way and cultivate merit, respectfully followed his precious teaching, paid homage, and withdrew.

Chapter Thirty-Three: Ly Ky Di

Thus have I heard: At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in the kingdom of Sravasti, in the grove of Anathapindika and Prince Jeta. At the court of King Prasenajit there was a great minister named Le Ky Di. He was wealthy and had seven sons. Six of them had already married, while the seventh had not yet taken a wife. The minister thought to himself:

“I am now old and frail. If I am to arrange a marriage for my youngest son, I must find a family worthy of him and a beautiful young woman.”

One day, a close friend from a brahmin lineage came to visit. As they conversed happily, he said:

– My friend, I still have a youngest son for whom I wish to find a wife, but I have not yet found a suitable family. You have traveled through many countries over the years. May I trouble you, if you find a daughter of a respectable family who is pure in conduct, virtuous, kind, and gentle, to introduce such a young woman to my son?

– Certainly! I can help you with that.

Some time later, this close friend traveled to the kingdom of Taksasila, where he encountered five hundred maidens going to gather flowers. He followed behind to observe them. When they came to a flowing stream, every maiden removed her shoes to wade across, except for one who kept her shoes on as she crossed. After walking a while, they reached a small river. All the other maidens raised their garments to wade across, but the same maiden did not raise hers and crossed with her garments still lowered. When they reached a grove, the other maidens all climbed the trees to pick flowers and gather fruit. This maiden did not climb, but waited for the others to descend and then asked them for some, receiving a great many. The man approached her and asked:

– Young lady, may I ask you a few questions?

– Yes, sir. Please ask; there is no harm in it!

– Just now, when crossing the stream, all the other maidens removed their shoes to wade across, but you alone did not. What was your reason?

– Sir, shoes are worn precisely to protect the feet from thorns, shards of pottery, and other things that might injure them. On dry ground, such things can be seen and avoided, but beneath the water, how could one see and avoid thorns or venomous creatures? That is why I did not remove my shoes!

He continued asking: - When crossing the river, all the other maidens raised their garments to wade across, but you alone kept yours lowered. What was the meaning of this?

– Sir, a young woman must be discreet and meticulous. Exposing the body would offend the eyes of onlookers and cause me shame; therefore, I did not raise my garments!

He continued: - All the other maidens climbed the trees. Why did you not climb?

– Sir, when climbing a tree, I feared that a branch might break and place me in danger; therefore, I did not climb.

– Forgive me, but what is your name, and who are your parents?

– Sir, my name is Vaisali. My mother is King Prasenajit’s younger sister, named Dhamma La Tien. Having committed an offense, she fled to this country, became my father’s companion, and gave birth to me.

– Are your parents both still living and well?

– Yes, sir, both my parents are still living and well!

– May I accompany you home to visit them?

– Yes, sir, you may!

She led him home and then went inside to tell her father:

– Father, there is a brahmin who wishes to visit you!

Her father came out to the guest hall. The two men met and conversed happily. The brahmin asked:

– Sir, is this young woman your daughter?

– Yes, sir. She is a very good child!

– Have you arranged a marriage for her yet?

– No. She is still studying!

– Sir, do you know the great minister Le Ky Di of the kingdom of Sravasti?

– Yes, I have known him for a long time.

– Sir, Minister Le Ky Di’s youngest son is highly intelligent. He wishes to ask for your daughter’s hand in marriage. Would you consent?

– Yes, gladly. I am most willing, because he and I are close friends, and moreover, his family is of noble lineage. The two families are well matched.

– Very well, sir. I shall take my leave.

He intended to return and report the news to Le Ky Di, but then encountered a close friend who was returning to the kingdom of Sravasti, so he wrote a letter and asked him to deliver it to Le Ky Di.

After receiving the letter, Le Ky Di prepared ceremonial gifts and money, loaded them onto a carriage, and traveled to the kingdom of Taksasila. Upon arriving, he first sent someone inside to inquire about the arrangements.

Dhamma La Tien received him with great ceremony. When Le Ky Di arrived, host and guest met, and both families rejoiced. They made inquiries, exchanged views, and reached an agreement concerning the marriage between their two households. When all was settled, the groom’s family escorted the bride back to the kingdom of Sravasti. As she was about to depart, her mother instructed her:

– When you arrive at your husband’s home, always wear beautiful new clothing, eat and drink only what is fine, and look in the mirror every day. Do not forget your mother’s instructions!

– Yes, Mother. I bow to you and promise to obey your instructions without disobeying them.

When Le Ky Di heard his daughter-in-law’s mother instructing her daughter in this way, he thereafter kept it in mind and silently thought:

“In the course of a human life, suffering and happiness, fine clothing, and delicious food can never be assured. As for looking in the mirror every day, that is truly utterly unreasonable.”

After the two families had taken leave of one another and set out, the bride and groom proceeded proudly amid horses and palanquins. The throng was as dense as at a festival, and firecrackers thundered to the heavens, making the procession resemble a parade escorting a deity. Halfway along the road, they came to an inn with a cool veranda. Those at the front all went inside to rest. When the bride arrived afterward, she said to her father-in-law:

“Father, we must not rest in this house. We must quickly go outside and rest elsewhere!”

He followed her advice and went to rest at another place, though some people refused to leave. A short while later, a herd of elephants arrived and rubbed against the pillars, causing the building to collapse and crush several people to death. Mr. Le Ky Di thought to himself:

“I escaped death thanks to my daughter-in-law!”

They then resumed their journey. Upon reaching the bank of a stream, everyone stopped to rest. When she arrived afterward, she said:

“It is not good to rest here. We must go up to that high hill!”

Everyone followed her words and climbed to the high ground. In only a short while, black clouds gathered, thunder and lightning resounded, and rain poured down in torrents, flooding the entire bank of the stream. Mr. Le Ky Di reflected:

“I have escaped death twice because my daughter-in-law saved my life!”

They set out once more. When they reached home, relatives and close acquaintances from near and far arrived in a continuous stream to welcome them.

That day, Mr. Le Ky Di held a splendid and joyous feast for all the relatives. Thus the wedding procession came to an end.

One day, Mr. Le Ky Di gathered the family together and said:

“My children, I am now old and weak and can no longer manage the affairs of the household. Which of you is capable of taking charge of this entire estate and all its property, storehouses, and keys, so that I may entrust them to you?”

The first six daughters-in-law all declined, not daring to accept. The seventh, Visakha, stood and said:

“Father, none of my elder sisters dares to accept. Therefore, I ask to take responsibility so that I may relieve you of this burden!”

Mr. Le Ky Di gladly entrusted all the household affairs to her. From then on, she worked diligently, staying up late and rising early, and instructed the servants in all their duties with great care. At mealtimes, she first served her parents-in-law, then her elder brothers- and sisters-in-law and their sons and daughters, and afterward the household servants. Only when she had properly assigned all the work did she herself eat. This was her regular practice.

He saw that she was steadfast, loyal, and careful, entirely unlike ordinary people. Yet he wondered why he did not see her following the instructions her mother had given her when she departed.

He asked, “Before you came here as a bride, your mother instructed you to wear fine new clothes, eat delicious food, and look in the mirror every day. Why do you not follow your mother’s instructions?”

She knelt and replied:

“Father, when my mother instructed me to wear fine new clothes, she meant that my clothing must always be clean, so that when guests come to the house, the sight of me will not offend their eyes. When she instructed me to eat delicious food, she did not mean that I should eat rich and savory meats. Her meaning was that I must always eat last; when one is hungry, whatever one encounters tastes delicious. As for looking in the mirror, she did not mean a mirror made of bronze or glass. She meant that I must rise early and dust the beds, chairs, and other furnishings in the house, keeping them clean and orderly, and arrange the blankets, mats, quilts, and mosquito nets neatly. That was the meaning of my mother’s instructions!”

“Yes, excellent! Your mother is a woman of great virtue. I, too, must admire and respect her.”

He rejoiced inwardly that his daughter-in-law possessed both talent and virtue and had a lucid and discerning mind. He treated her with even greater favor than before, and from that time onward he remained entirely at ease about the affairs of his household and no longer had to concern himself with them.

One day, while the king and all the civil and military officials of the court were seated in the jeweled hall discussing affairs of state, clusters of eight-branched rice suddenly fell into the royal courtyard. Looking up into the sky, they saw a flock of wild geese flying overhead. Seeing that this was a precious variety of rice, the king gave each official a small amount to take home and plant.

Mr. Le Ky Di brought his portion home and entrusted it to Visakha, his seventh daughter-in-law, saying, “The king gave me this rice to take home and plant. Please take care of this task for me.”

After some time, the royal consort fell ill. Having examined her pulse, the physicians reported to the king:

“Your Majesty, for the consort to recover from her illness, she must be given the eight-branched rice that grows by the seashore!”

The king summoned the officials and said:

“Previously, I gave each of you some eight-branched rice to take home and plant. Has the rice ripened yet?”

The other officials replied, “Your Majesty, because the soil and water were unsuitable, the rice sprouted but bore no grain.” Mr. Le Ky Di returned home and asked his daughter-in-law:

“Did the eight-branched rice you planted grow well? Did it produce much grain? The king now needs it as medicine for the queen!”

“Father, this season I raised a great quantity of rice, and it grew exceedingly well. If it is to be used as medicine, there is enough to supply the entire kingdom!”

“Will you give me a little to present to the king?”

“Yes. Please allow me first to have it carefully husked and milled.”

The next day, he brought the eight-branched rice to present to the king and reported:

“Your Majesty, in obedience to your sacred command, this humble servant has raised a great quantity. I now respectfully offer Your Majesty a portion of carefully prepared eight-branched rice!”

“Excellent! You are indeed skillful in cultivation!”

The king ordered someone to cook the rice.

After the queen ate it, she recovered from her illness.

At that time, the kingdom of Taksasila and the kingdom of Sravasti were at odds over matters of trade, and conflicts frequently arose between the two states.

Even so, the king of Taksasila remained wary, fearing that Sravasti possessed many talented people. He therefore devised tests to determine whether this was so.

The first time, he sent two mares to Sravasti and challenged them to distinguish which was the mother and which was the daughter, for both were of equal size.

At that time, neither the king nor any of the civil and military officials of the court could distinguish the mother from the daughter.

Mr. Le Ky Di returned home looking sorrowful.

His daughter-in-law asked, “Father, what happened at court today? You seem unhappy!”

“My child, the kingdom of Taksasila has sent two mares and asked us to determine which is the mother and which is the daughter. None of the civil and military officials at court knows the answer. If we cannot solve the riddle, they will send an army to attack us. That is why I am sorrowful!”

“Father, this is not difficult! Simply take a bundle of fine grass and let them eat it. The one that eats slowly and yields to the other is the mother; the one that snatches at the grass and devours it hastily is the daughter.”

Finding her explanation reasonable, her father went and reported her words to the king. The king ordered someone to bring grass and test the mares. Indeed, the result was just as she had said. The king summoned the envoy and pointed out that the mare eating slowly was the mother, while the one eating ravenously was the daughter. The envoy acknowledged that the answer was correct. After the envoy departed, the king was greatly delighted and bestowed abundant titles, rank, and rewards upon Mr. Le Ky Di.

When the envoy returned to his own kingdom, he truthfully reported everything that had occurred. The king then sent two snakes, identical in length and size, challenging them to determine which was male and which was female.

Obeying this second command, the envoy brought the snakes and questioned King Prasenajit. This time, from the king down to the officials, everyone was utterly baffled, and no one could provide an answer.

Mr. Le Ky Di returned home and said to his daughter-in-law:

“My child, today the kingdom of Taksasila sent two snakes and asked which was male and which was female. Neither the king nor any of the officials at court could decide. Do you know a way to tell them apart? Please explain it to me.”

“Father, this is also not difficult! Simply take a length of very smooth, soft, and supple silk, spread it over a winnowing tray, place the snakes upon it, and observe them. The one that lies still and the one that moves about will reveal the answer: the female belongs to the yin nature; feeling the coolness and softness beneath her belly, desire arises in her, and so she lies still. The male belongs to the yang nature, which is hot and active; seeing people, he becomes frightened and seeks a means of escape, and therefore moves about in every direction.”

He found this reasonable and entered the palace to report to the king exactly as stated above. The king ordered someone to test it with silk, and indeed the truth became clearly evident.

When this ingenious method proved correct, the king ordered someone to summon the envoy and inform him. The envoy had to acknowledge the king’s ability to discern the truth correctly.

After the envoy departed, the king was greatly pleased and rewarded Le Ky Di with much gold and silver.

The envoy returned and reported King Dac Xoa Thi Loi that King Ba Tu Nac’s judgment had been correct. Still not entirely convinced, the king again ordered the envoy to take to him a piece of wood one truong long, with its root end and top end equally smooth and bearing no marks or traces, and challenge him to identify which end was the root and which the top.

Obeying the command, the envoy brought it to the kingdom of Xa Ve. This time, too, no one knew the answer. Le Ky Di again returned home and asked his daughter-in-law:

“My child! This time the kingdom of Dac Xoa Thi Loi has brought over a smooth piece of wood without any distinguishing marks and challenged us to identify its root and top. No one at court can decide the matter. Do you know a method? Please tell your father.”

“Father, that is even less difficult. Simply place it in a river and the answer will be known: the end that sinks is the root, while the end that floats is the top. The root is always heavier and therefore sinks; the top is always lighter and therefore floats.”

Le Ky Di reported to the king exactly as stated above. The king ordered the wood to be placed in the river, and indeed one end sank while the other floated. The king summoned the envoy and said:

“Envoy, you should know that the end which sinks is the root, and the end which floats is the top.”

The envoy said, “Yes, Your Majesty. It is exactly as you have said. Your servant concedes.”

The envoy returned to his own kingdom and reported to the king:

“Your Majesty! This time, in obedience to Your Majesty’s command, I took the wood to them, and they answered everything correctly. From what your servant has observed, it is clear that the kingdom of Xa Ve possesses many talented people.”

Hearing this, the king could not help but admire them, and he abandoned his plan to wage war against the kingdom of Xa Ve. Wishing the two kingdoms to enjoy friendly relations, the king of Dac Xoa Thi Loi sent people bearing gold, silver, and precious treasures as gifts to King Ba Tu Nac, together with this message:

“We commend the abundance of worthy and talented people in Your Majesty’s kingdom. Henceforth, you should strive to cultivate righteousness and filial piety and instruct your people according to the true teaching.”

King Ba Tu Nac then summoned Le Ky Di to the palace and asked:

“How did you know the answers to those recent challenges?”

“Your Majesty! They came from your servant’s daughter-in-law. How could this humble servant possess wisdom surpassing that of Your Majesty’s learned men?”

When the king heard this, he held her in the highest esteem and bestowed upon her the title “Third Samadhi.”

After some further time, Lady Ty Xa Ly gave birth to thirty eggs, from which emerged thirty-two sons. The eldest was exceptionally handsome and dignified. When he grew older, his strength was powerful and unequaled, and he could contend against a thousand men. His parents cherished him dearly, and everyone in the kingdom respected him. Later, wives were found for all the sons, each being a daughter from one of the kingdom’s eminent and virtuous families.

Lady Ty Xa Ly had always devoutly revered the Three Jewels and frequently went to hear the Buddha teach the Dharma. One day, she invited the Buddha and the Sangha to her home for a meal offering. When the Buddha had finished eating, he ascended the Dharma seat and taught the Dharma.

Everyone in the household, old and young alike, attained the fruit of stream-entry. Only her youngest son, whose understanding was inferior, attained no fruit of the path. He still had a violent disposition and rode a white elephant for pleasure every day.

On that day, as he was crossing a large wooden bridge, he encountered the prime minister’s son seated in a carriage in the middle of the bridge. The two young men disputed the right of way. Each relied upon being the son of a high official and refused to yield.

Lady Ty Xa Ly’s son became enraged, leapt down from his elephant, and shoved both the carriage and the prime minister’s son into a muddy ditch. The young man’s whole body was filthy, and blood streamed from his wounds. He got up and went home weeping.

There he said to his father:

“Father, Lady Ty Xa Ly’s youngest son pushed my carriage and me into a ditch for no reason, injuring me like this!”

Seeing his son in such pain, the prime minister became enraged and said:

“He is immensely strong and, moreover, close to the king. Do not cry anymore, my son. I will avenge you!”

The prime minister hired someone to make thirty-two horsewhips adorned with the seven treasures. Inside the core of each whip, he concealed a sharp knife. He then took them as gifts to Lady Ty Xa Ly’s sons, giving one to each of them.

These young men were still youthful and impetuous. Delighted to receive the whips, they often carried them when they went out for pleasure, innocently unaware of the prime minister’s sinister intention.

The law of the kingdom strictly prohibited anyone from carrying a knife when entering the king’s presence. Whoever violated this command was subject to execution.

Lady Ty Xa Ly’s sons commonly entered and left the king’s residence, and no one was permitted to hinder them, for the king treated Lady Ty Xa Ly with great affection and favor.

One day, the prime minister entered the palace and reported to the king:

“Your Majesty, Lady Ty Xa Ly’s thirty sons are extraordinarily strong. Each one can contend against a thousand men. They are now plotting to harm Your Majesty!”

The king heard what he said but did not yet fully believe him. The minister continued:

“Your Majesty, your servant has investigated this matter and found it to be true, with ample evidence! I have seen that every one of them possesses a whip, and inside the core of each whip is a sharp knife!”

The king immediately ordered someone to seize the whips and inspect them. Indeed, knives were found inside them. Taking this as proof, the king ordered his strongmen to summon all thirty-two young men into the palace and confiscate their whips. He then had them secretly executed without anyone’s knowledge. Their thirty-two heads were placed in a wooden chest, carefully sealed, and delivered to Lady Ty Xa Ly.

At midday that same day, Lady Ty Xa Ly had invited the Buddha and the Sangha to her home for a meal offering. The household was bustling, with some carrying food and others pouring water. When she saw the king’s men bearing a chest toward her, she rejoiced inwardly and said:

“Today the king must have sent someone to bring fine foods to help me make offerings!”

She ordered someone to open it.

The Buddha said, “Wait! Open it after I have finished my meal.”

When the meal was finished, the Buddha called her to sit beside him and said:

“This body is impermanent and subject to suffering! In the end, it becomes empty; in truth, there is no self. Life is beset by many dangers, calamities, and fears, and cannot endure for long. It is bound by every kind of affliction and filled with bitterness beyond description. Those joined by affection must one day part! Mutual attachment exhausts both body and consciousness and brings no benefit to the path. This essential Dharma of which I speak can be understood only by those who possess wisdom.”

After hearing the Buddha’s words, she gained faith and awakening and immediately attained the fruit of non-returning. Joyfully joining her palms, she addressed the Buddha:

“Reverence to the Blessed One. I ask for the following four things:

1. I wish to make offerings to sick bhikkhus, including foods suited to their illnesses.

2. I wish to make offerings to those who tend the sick.

3. I wish to make offerings first to bhikkhus who have arrived from afar.

4. I wish to provide provisions for bhikkhus who are traveling far away.

Blessed One! Because sick bhikkhus lack good medicine and wholesome food, their illnesses take a long time to heal, become difficult to cure, or even cause their deaths. Those who tend the sick must care for the patients and therefore cannot go on almsround; for this reason, I wish to make offerings to them.

Those newly arrived from distant places know no one. While going on almsround, they may encounter vicious dogs or cruel people who injure or humiliate them; for this reason, I wish to make offerings to them first. Those traveling far away need companions.

If they have no provisions to carry with them or cannot keep pace with others, the roads may be dangerous and filled with venomous beasts. Traveling alone, they may meet with disaster; for this reason, I wish to provide them with provisions.”

Seeing her request these four things, the Blessed One praised her, saying:

– Excellent! A mind such as yours possesses immense merit; this is no different from making an offering to the Buddha!

Having spoken, the Buddha and the monks returned to Jeta Grove.

After the Buddha had departed, she ordered someone to open the chest and see what the king had given her. Instead, she saw thirty-two human heads, which were those of her own sons. Because she understood that life is impermanent and had attained the fruit of non-returning, having completely severed worldly attachment, she neither grieved nor wept, but merely reflected:

– How painful! How lamentable! Wherever there is birth, there must be death; beings rise and sink through the five destinies. What suffering could be greater than this!

At that time, the thirty-two families of their wives learned that their sons-in-law had died at the king’s hands. They said:

– For no reason, the king has unjustly killed innocent men!

Their grief for their sons-in-law flared into extreme fury. They brought their armies to surround the king’s capital and seek revenge.

King Prasenajit fled to the Buddha, but they pursued him and surrounded Jeta Grove. I, Ananda, then went out and invited them in to ask how the matter had arisen.

The thirty-two fathers-in-law of Lady Visakha’s sons entered, paid homage to the Buddha, and withdrew to one side. I knelt upright and addressed the Buddha with palms joined:

– Homage to the Blessed One! In a past life, did Lady Visakha’s thirty-two sons commit some evil against the king, causing him to kill them now? We respectfully beseech you to instruct us so that we may understand.

The Buddha taught: “The karmic grievance behind this matter arose very long ago in a past life. At that time, thirty-two men were close friends. One day they stole and captured an ox, intending to feast upon it together to their hearts’ content. Nearby lived a poor old woman who had no children, so they brought the ox to her house and asked to slaughter it there. She gladly permitted them to kill it and lent them all the firewood, cooking pots, knives, and fans in her house. Just as they were about to kill it, the ox knelt down and said:

– Please spare me! If you kill me, I shall not spare you in future lives. Even if you reach the day when you attain the path of liberation, I shall certainly take my revenge.

“Although the men heard the ox speak, their cruel hearts would not listen. Together they seized the ox, killed and butchered it, then stir-fried, steamed, and braised its flesh and feasted until they were drunk and full. The old woman also ate her fill that day and then said:

“‘Thanks to you, I have enjoyed a satisfying meal of meat and fully appeased my craving.’

“Ananda, you should know that the ox of that time is now King Prasenajit, while the men who stole the ox are now Lady Visakha’s thirty-two sons. As the karmic result of that deed, throughout five hundred lives they have repeatedly been killed by him, continuing even to the present day. Because the old woman aided in and rejoiced at the slaughter of the ox, throughout five hundred lives she has had to become the mother of these men and endure such bitter anguish!”

Having heard and understood the story of the mutual retribution born of their enmity, I again asked the Buddha:

– Homage to the Blessed One! What merit did these men possess that enabled them to be born into a wealthy and noble household with strong and healthy bodies? We respectfully beseech you to instruct us.

The Buddha taught: “Ananda, you should know that this also occurred in a past life, during the time of Kasyapa Buddha. There was an old woman who possessed faith and reverence for the Three Jewels and whose household was very wealthy. One day, she took various kinds of incense, flowers, and oil to paint a stupa. Halfway there, she encountered thirty-two young men. Taking the opportunity, she exhorted them:

– Where are you young men going? Here is an exceedingly meritorious deed. Today I am going to paint a Buddha stupa. If you help me paint it, in future lives you will possess strong, healthy, and handsome bodies!

– Is that so, venerable lady? Yes, since you have instructed us, we shall go.

“When they had finished painting, all the young men said:

– Venerable lady! Because you encouraged us to plant these wholesome roots of merit, we dedicate this merit and vow that wherever we are born, we shall enjoy honor, wealth, and nobility; that life after life we shall be your sons and you shall be our mother; and that we shall encounter the Buddha, hear the Dharma, and swiftly attain the fruit of the path!

“The old woman said:

– Excellent! You young men have made such a vow! With the merit and blessings of the Three Jewels protecting you, how could you fail to fulfill your vow in the future?

“Ananda, you should know that the old woman of that time is now Lady Visakha, and those thirty-two young men are now her sons.”

At that time, when the officers and soldiers surrounding Jeta Grove heard the Buddha’s explanation, they understood that this was the mutual repayment of an old karmic grievance. Their anger naturally vanished, and they went of their own accord before King Prasenajit to apologize.

Thereupon, for the sake of the fourfold assembly of disciples, the Blessed One extensively taught which wholesome karmas should be cultivated and which evil karmas should be abandoned, and clearly explained the Dharma of the Four Noble Truths.

When the Buddha had finished teaching, everyone rejoiced, paid homage, and withdrew.

Chapter Thirty-Four: King Sutasoma

Thus have I heard: At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the Bamboo Grove in the kingdom of Rajagrha. At that time, I arranged my robes properly, approached him, knelt upright with palms joined, and addressed the Buddha:

– Homage to the Blessed One! What wholesome causes did Kaundinya and his companions establish with you in former lives, such that when the Dharma drum first sounded, they were the first to hear it, and when the ambrosia first flowed, they were the first to drink it? We respectfully beseech you to explain this clearly so that we and sentient beings of future generations may understand the cause.

The Buddha taught: “Ananda, you should know that in an ancient life, these five men were the first to eat my flesh and thereby remained healthy and survived a time of famine and suffering. Because of those causes and conditions, in this life they were the first to hear my Dharma and the first to attain liberation!”

I again said:

– Homage to you! In a former life, these men were the first to eat my flesh and thereby remained healthy and survived a time of famine and suffering. Because of those causes and conditions, in this life they were the first to hear my Dharma and the first to attain liberation!

I again said:

– Homage to you! What were the causes and conditions behind the account of those men eating your flesh in a former life? We respectfully beseech you to instruct us so that we may understand.

The Buddha taught: “Ananda, you should know that it has been an exceedingly long time since then—immeasurable asamkhya kalpas ago. In this very Jambudvipa, there was a king of a great kingdom named Sutasoma. He ruled over eighty-four thousand lesser kingdoms, sixty thousand mountains and rivers, eight billion settlements, and twenty thousand consorts and palace women. The king possessed great loving-kindness and compassion. He constantly cared for his people and diligently performed deeds beneficial to the nation and society, while seldom seeking benefit for himself or his own family. Therefore, the people cherished him as a benevolent father.

“At that time, a fiery star appeared. The astrologers reported to the king:

– Your Majesty! The appearance of this fiery star is a sign of a great drought, which may last twelve years. What should Your Majesty do to prevent the people from starving to death?

“Upon hearing the astrologers’ words, the king became so distressed that he forgot to eat by day and could not sleep at night. How could the people survive? The nation would be plunged into misery.

“He immediately summoned all his civil and military officials to deliberate on the matter:

– What do you propose now? Is there any means to bring rain, or any measure by which the people may survive this drought?

“The officials reported to the king:

– Your Majesty! Let proclamations now be issued to all the kingdoms, ordering them to count their present populations and calculate how much food each person will consume over twelve years.

“After this council, in accordance with the royal decree, the population and grain supplies were calculated. It was determined that each person would receive only one sheng of rice. Consequently, a great many people starved to death.”

The king had compassion for his people and wept without cease, day and night. How could he alone enjoy peace and happiness? Seeing the people suffer, he could not bear it. While the queen, her attendants, and the Crown Prince were on an excursion in the royal garden, the king bowed his head, paid homage in the four directions, and prayed:

– Reverence to all Buddhas of the ten directions and the three times! At present, great numbers of my people are starving to death. I now offer up this body and vow to become a great fish, so that my flesh may provide food for the people and sustain them through this time of hunger and thirst!

Having made this prayer, he climbed a tree and plunged headfirst to the ground, dying instantly. His consciousness transformed into a great fish whose body was five hundred yojanas long.

At that time, five carpenters carrying axes went to the riverbank to cut wood. When the fish saw them, it said:

– If you are hungry, take my flesh and eat it. Eat your fill and carry some home. In the future, when I attain Buddhahood, I shall first liberate you with the food of the Dharma. Call the people as well, so that they may come and take my flesh home to eat.

Hearing the fish speak, the five men were overjoyed. Being hungry, they raised their axes and chopped off a large piece, then gathered firewood, kindled a fire, roasted the flesh, and ate it. After eating their fill, they carried some home and told everyone to go and take the fish’s flesh.

The people surged forth, vying with one another—some carrying axes, others holding knives, some carrying baskets, and others bearing hampers—to cut off and take the flesh. Thus the people were delivered from death by starvation. When they had taken all the flesh from the right half of its body, the fish turned over and offered them its left side. By the time they had taken all the flesh from its left side, the right side had already grown back completely! In this way, whenever one side was exhausted, it turned over to the other. All the people of Jambudvipa gave rise to compassionate hearts, and after death they were reborn in the heavens.

Having spoken thus, the Buddha continued:

– Ananda, you should know that King Thiết Đầu La Kiền Ninh at that time was none other than I in a former life! The five carpenters who first ate the fish’s flesh are now Kaundinya and his four companions. The people of that time are now the eighty thousand devas and the disciples who have attained liberation.

At that time, you survived by eating my flesh. Therefore, now that I have begun to teach the Dharma, you were the first to hear it. I have given them only a little flesh from the Dharma-body, thereby relieving the hunger and thirst caused by their three poisons of that former time.

At that time, when I and all the disciples had heard the Buddha speak, each of us reverently honored the compassionate generosity that he had practiced. We bowed our heads in homage, expressed our gratitude, and withdrew.